Abstract
The large number of small scale Distributed Energy Resources (DER) such as Electric Vehicles (EVs), rooftop photovoltaic installations and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), installed along distribution networks, poses several challenges related to power quality, efficiency, and reliability. Concurrently, the connection of DER may provide substantial flexibility to the operation of distribution grids and market players such as aggregators. This paper proposes an optimization framework for the energy management and scheduling of operation for Low Voltage (LV) networks assuring both admissible voltage magnitudes and minimized line congestion and voltage unbalances. The proposed tool allows the utilization and coordination of On-Load Tap Changer (OLTC) distribution transformers, BESS, and flexibilities provided by DER. The methodology is framed with a multi-objective three phase unbalanced multi-period AC Optimal Power Flow (MACOPF) solved as a nonlinear optimization problem. The performance of the resulting control scheme is validated on a LV distribution network through multiple case scenarios with high microgeneration and EV integration. The usefulness of the proposed scheme is additionally demonstrated by deriving the most efficient placement and sizing BESS solution based on yearly synthetic load and generation data-set. A techno-economical analysis is also conducted to identify optimal coordination among assets and DER for several objectives.
Highlights
Low Voltage (LV) distribution networks used to be a passive segment of the power system, mainly for the supply of consumers; power flows were heading from the bulk transmission points to the distribution grid
Several types of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) may be connected such as domestic rooftop Photovoltaics (PV) or generally microgeneration in some cases coupled with Battery Storage Systems (BESS), controllable loads (e.g., Electric Heat Pumps or other smart domestic appliances), and Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The mode of operation m1 refers to the sole coordination of all types of DER orchestrated by the multi-period AC Optimal Power Flow (MACOPF)
Summary
Low Voltage (LV) distribution networks used to be a passive segment of the power system, mainly for the supply of consumers; power flows were heading from the bulk transmission points to the distribution grid. The extensive integration of DER in the grid may cause several technical challenges on the operation of distribution networks such as voltage problems, branch congestions, and phase unbalances. Sources of flexibility may come from several types of DERs that are enabled with temporal shifting of active or reactive power to be consumed or injected into the grid. Such strategies of active participation of consumers in the grid’s operation have gained the interest of utilities for the past few decades by engaging, mainly, industrial consumers through demand side management schemes [5]. For the smart grid development, more novel advanced control schemes have to be implemented towards the active involvement of DER
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